Middlesbrough's Mowbray keeping the faith with goalless McDonald

The Australian international, Boro's leading scorer last term, has scored just once so far in the Championship this season but his manager is keeping the faith.

McDonald had a great chance to break his barren streak of nine league matches when he rounded Southampton keeper Kelvin Davis but was unable to convert in the 3-0 away loss on Saturday and despite that, Mowbray is backing him to soon get amongst the goals.

"All centre-forwards who haven't scored goals for a while have to believe in themselves and keep going," he told the club's official website.

"It would have done him a power of good if that had gone in just before half-time.

"At this moment things are not working but he has to keep going and believe he'll score in the next game."

It might not be a long wait for McDonald as fourth-placed Boro next meet second bottom Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday night.